Improvement in sewing-machines



J, E. A. GIBBS.

Sewing Machine.

Patented March 31; 1857.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILLIOINT, WIRG-INIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. "3,914, dated March 31, 1857.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES E.- A. (James, of. Millpoint, in the'county of Pocahontas and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and ll$ fu1 Improvements in Sewing-Machines 5 and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top view of my improved machine. Figs. a and b show the thread-case A in two different positions in relation to the tangent rack -R. Fig. 2 is a bottom view; Fig. 3, a side elevation, and Fig. 4 a section through 00 g of Fig. 1. I

The nature of my invention consists in con structing a hollow thread-case of a spherical oval, or any other similar shape for containing a ball of thread, having no fixed axis of rotation, and combining the said hollow spherical thread-case with any mechanismthat will impart to it such revolving and reciprocating motion that the axis of revolution be in a permanent position, the said axis passing through the hole through which the thread issues; also, in encircling the spherical thread-case at or near its largest periphery with a plate or belt having two hooks facing each other in a plane perpendicular to the axis of revolution, also, in guiding the revolving hook plate by a stationary circular groove having ahole through it between its inner periphery and the outer periphery of the revolving plate, so arranged as to allow the needle to pass in p the .proper time at every alternating revolution of the thread-case.

A is a spherical case constructed in two parts, which are secured together by any convenient means, so as to allow of the insertion of a ball of thread. The upper hemisphere is furnished with a central hole, through which the thread passes. There are a number of other holes on its vicinity for the purpose of increasing the resistance of friction by passing the thread through several holes before it issues through the central one. At or near the largest circumference of the globular threadcase isa plate, B, situated in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis passsingthrough the central thread issue. In this plate two hooks are wrought, facing each other and at such distance from each other that they correspond to the terminus of each singlerevolution or part of such revolution. The plate B is encircled by a stationary guide-groove,0,

the latter having a notch or orifice, through.

which the needle is to pass, and so disposed in relation to the hooks that they are compelled to pass through the loop when presented. I

In Figs. (1. and b, I have represented the tangent rack as drawn to the ends of its motion, and the hooks, one on each side of the needlehole, so as to show the hooks in the act of passing through the, loop.

The motion to the thread-case is imparted I by any suitable mechanism. The annexed drawings show a tangent rack meshing into the circular cogs upon the spherical threadcase.

The modus operandi is as follows: Supposing the needle of a lock-stitch machine to have passed through the cloth and to be about to withdraw, leaving a loop under the cloth, the hook 1, which is now placed in readiness to enter the loop, is caused to revolve and twist the thread a turn or part of a turn, so as to pass the loop of the needle-thread around-and over I the thread-case. When the needle is again brought down, the other hook, 2, then faces the next loop presented, and by the return revolution twists the thread a turn or part of a turn in the contrary direction, and so forth. It is obvious that the thread is not twisted continually in one direction, which is the ease in shuttles revolving in one direction only; but every single twist is untwisted by each successive operation. By cutting away -a larger portion of the periphery of the rim or plate which surrounds the thread-case, leaving just sufficient of the rim to keep it steady in the stationary groove, and then placing the hooks farther apart, it will not be necessary to give the thread case a full revolution, but only to reciprocate the hooks through a part of a circle sufficientto cause the hooks to pass the needle at the commencement of their return motion.

Having now fully described my improvement, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Making a series of lock-stitches with a.

double hook reciprocating its motion of a sinthereto areciprocating motion of a single revgle revolution or part of such revolution, subolution or part of such revolution when the stantially as herein set forth. axis of revolution is fixed, substantially as set .2. In combination with a sewing-machine, forth. the hollow thread-case, of a spherical, oval, or In testimony whereof I have signed my name any other similar form, for, containing aball of to this specification before two subscribing thread, having no" fixed axis of revolution. witnesses.

3. Attaching to the lobular thread-case a plate or its equivalent furnished with two JAMES GIBBS hooks, which are placed symmetrically in the Witnesses: manner specified, and combining the whole A. POLLAK,

with any suitable mechanism that will impart CHAS. EVERETT. 

